Editing Ramjet (section)

===Nuclear-powered ramjet===

====United States====
{{Main|Project Pluto}}
During the [[Cold War]], the United States designed and ground-tested a nuclear-powered ramjet called [[Project Pluto]]. This system, intended for use in a [[cruise missile]], used no combustion; a high-temperature, unshielded [[nuclear reactor]] heated the air. The ramjet was predicted to be able to fly at supersonic speeds for months. Because the reactor was unshielded, it was dangerous to anyone in or around the vehicle flight path (although its exhaust wasn't radioactive). The project was ultimately cancelled because [[ICBM]]s seemed to serve the purpose better.<ref>{{cite web |title=Project Pluto |url=https://msts.sites.nv.doe.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DOENV_763.pdf |access-date=March 5, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303003018/http://www.nv.doe.gov/library/factsheets/DOENV_763.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2012}}</ref>

This type of engine could be used for the exploration of planetary atmospheres such as Jupiter's.<ref>IAC-03-Q.4.09 [https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.IAC-03-Q.4.09 Application of the MITEE Nuclear Ramjet for Ultra Long Range Flyer Missions in the Atmospheres of Jupiter and the Other Giant Planets] - [[International Astronautical Congress|IAC]] 2003 Bremen</ref>

====Russia====
{{Main|9M730 Burevestnik}}
On 1 March 2018 President Vladimir Putin announced a nuclear-powered ramjet cruise missile capable of extended long range flight. It was designated 9M730 "Burevestnik" (Petrel) and has the [[NATO reporting name]] SSC-X-9 "Skyfall".<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Ankit Panda |user=nktpnd |title=Update from a source: Russia's Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile has a NATO designator — SSC-X-9 SKYFALL. (USIC also calls this missile the KY30.) |number=1064991343624237059 |date=2018-11-20 |access-date=2023-01-24}}</ref> On 9 August 2019, an explosion and release of radioactive material was recorded at the [[State Central Navy Testing Range]]. Recovery efforts were underway to raise a test article that had landed in the [[White Sea]] during testing in 2018 when the nuclear power source of the missile [[Nyonoksa radiation accident|detonated and killed 5 researchers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian nuclear engineers buried after 'Skyfall nuclear' blast |website=aljazeera.com |language=en |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/8/13/russian-nuclear-engineers-buried-after-skyfall-nuclear-blast |access-date=2023-01-24}}</ref>